Life and Times of Avery Ward: Daughter of The Shield

Disclaimer: I own Avery, Sonya and Jia but nothing else

Spoilers: Sequel to "The Shield is Born", read first or this won't make sense.

Being home for the holidays was awesome if you asked Avery, she missed the Bus and her family despite enjoying school. However, it seemed that home was changing and her parents were yet again at each other's throats despite Uncle Phil saying they were making progress and her father was about ready to propose. Of course it didn't take long to figure out why her mother was pissed at her father because it was plain as day: Skye was pregnant.

Sitting on the sofa with Fitz, she played tennis with him on the Wii. It had been a new installation when she started staying onboard for summers with her dad, her Uncle Phil said it was for fun exercise and she accepted it with a smile and hug. The sound of yelling made her roll her eyes and she looked at her second favorite uncle.

"Why are they still fighting?"

"I think your mum is still upset about the baby."

Avery shrugged, "but aren't babies supposed to be happy events?"

Fitz put down his remote as she did the same, "normally I expect they are but we're talking about your parents. They love each other but your dad's past actions still upset your mum plus I don't think she knows how to be pregnant and have someone helping her. Remember she was on her own when you arrived."

"I hope they don't fight this much when the baby arrives or no one will get sleep. I read that babies have to sleep a lot and if they don't they cry. If Mom and Dad continue to yell they'll keep the baby up and it'll cry a lot."

"Impossible, that's what you are!" Skye yelled as she moved out of her bunk and past the two gamers to the kitchen. "I'm getting a glass so stay where you are!"

Ward followed her out and shook his head, "Skye I merely suggested you let someone help you. You don't have to do everything like you did with Avery." He caught her arm and she whipped around to stare at him. "I understand I wasn't there before but I'm here now, let me help you please." He let go of her arms and cupped her face, "I wish I had been there for everything with Avery, when I found out about her those were the thoughts in my head. Of what I missed, the moments of pregnancy and her birth and the inability to be there for you. Let me be there for this child, let me help you like I should have the first time. I can't make up the past but I can help make a future, I want a future with you."

"I know but I'm scared…"

He pulled her into his arms and kissed her head, "I'm not going anywhere this time." Digging into his pocket he sighed, "I didn't want it to be like this but every single one of my plans has fallen through in the past three months." Ward held up a solitaire ring and looked Skye in the eyes. "I want to spend decades dodging glass and making memories with you. I want to raise our children and spend weekends in the future with our grandchildren. I want to wake up every day next to you until we breathe our last breath. Will you marry me and start making a future as my wife and not just the mother of my children?"

Skye nodded, "yes."

He smiled and took her hand, slipping the ring onto her finger. "Before Avery and this baby you were the only person I ever loved and that still holds true. You were the first person I ever loved and while you won't be the last, that first place will always be yours." Pulling her in for a kiss, they both smiled when a mass hit them.

"We're going to be a real family!" Avery hugged them both and smiled at them. "Grant, Skye, Avery and Baby Ward…a real family."

Later in the evening, Avery sat beside her father while he sat writing a letter. She picked up the pictures of her at various ages as well as the ultrasound of her new sibling that her aunt had printed out for them. Ward paused and looked at her, watching her study the photos.

"I think your aunt would really like these, do you think I should send different photos?"

Avery looked up at her father, "I like these, do you think Aunt Katy will read your letter? Mom said you haven't talked to her since you were a teenager."

"I can hope," he pulled her sideways to sit on his knee. "Your mother taught me that sometimes just letting someone know you care is the best way to open communication. When I found out about you, I stared at your pictures and videos for days just wanting to meet you. I remember giving messages to Uncle Phil and Aunt Melinda to tell your mom so she'd tell you things for me. Things like I loved you and you were so grown up. How proud I was of you working hard in karate and that the honor roll was impressive considering the short attention span you inherited from her."

"She told me, she used to tell me things as I went to bed. Mom would tuck me in and tell me that Daddy said this or Daddy said that." Avery smiled at him, "I remember her once giving me a hug and kiss, telling me they were from you. Mom never made me think you weren't there, even if it was a lie at times. She told me I was Daddy's girl, that you loved me and wished you were with us. I think it was so she felt like you never betrayed her, it helped her cope with reality of losing you. I think she even started believing her lies."

Ward pulled Avery in and hugged her, happy that he could still cuddle with his daughter despite her being ten years old. Any other ten year old would push their dad away but their bond made cuddling special and made up for the lost years. "Well no more lies, I'll always be here and you can tell me anything that's bothering you."

"I know," Avery pulled away and sat back beside him. "You're the best dad ever in case you didn't know."

"I'll be sure to remember this moment when you're yelling at me as a teenager." He chuckled and picked up his pen before pausing. "Avery, you know that just because your mom and I are having another child doesn't mean we don't love you, right?"

Avery nodded, "I know and I always wanted a sister or brother. Can I help name him or her?"

Ward chuckled at the thought, "maybe, we'll see what your mom has to say on the matter."

Three weeks passed and Avery was waiting patiently beside the table as her aunt started to prepare the ultrasound. Her father was upstairs taking a phone call, her mother said not to disturb him despite it being a big deal. She was about to find out if she was getting a brother or sister and she was excited.

"What would you like Avery, a brother or perhaps a sister to share secrets with?" Aunt Jemma inquired and Avery shrugged. "You don't know huh?"

"I always wanted a sister but a brother would be cool too. I don't really care, I just want to be a sister and teach them everything I know."

Simmons chuckled and nodded, "you are already a big sister and with that attitude this little one is sure to learn so much from you." She applied gel to the wand and looked at Skye, "would you like to wait a few additional minutes to see if Ward can make it?"

"He's on the phone with his sister, he doesn't need distractions. We can always request you do this again but it might be a while before he talks to her again."

"Very well, let's see if this little one is prepared to reveal their gender." Simmons started the ultrasound and nodded as she looked at the baby. "Good size, see here is the head and arms." She chuckled, "they are waving to you."

Skye smiled and watched as Simmons examined the baby, "so what is it?"

Simmons looked at both girls, "well I can confidently say that Avery is getting a little…" she waited and watched Avery lean in more to hear, "brother. It's a boy and I'm sure he's going to be quite a handful like his father."

"Well that's it, I'm done after this." Skye smiled at her daughter, "no more kids. We got a girl and now we have a boy. I hope you're happy with a brother because there won't be a sister."

Avery nodded, "I don't need a sister, I like being the only girl. If I had a sister I wouldn't be Daddy's girl anymore, I'd just be the oldest."

"Well that is quite right." Her aunt chuckled and started printing out the images of the ultrasound. "I am the only girl despite the four brothers and I much prefer it that way."

A knock made them look up and they found Ward in the doorway, he looked at them both with a smile. "I know I'm late but can I get the news?"

The nine year old smiled and jumped in placed, "I get a brother and Aunt Jemma says he's a good size and weight."

Ward walked over and leaned down, kissing Skye's head. "A boy is exactly what we need after a girl." He accepted the ultrasound from Simmons and looked at it. "He's already beautiful like his mom."

"I hope he's tall like his dad and as good looking," she smirked as she sat up. "But not too good looking or we'll have to threaten every girl that looks at him. I don't want to face agents because our son broke their daughters' hearts."

A/N: We now know why Skye has been so moody, she's about 12 weeks at the start of the chapter and 15 at the end. Someone has kindly reminded me that the gender can't be determined before 16 weeks and I am aware of that but I am taking into account Skye's alien biology (the baby is probably at least a quarter alien if not half) and SHIELD's advanced medical technology.

Next we see Skyeward and Avery meet with Ward's sister...

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